OSCEOLA COUNTY – Two men charged with murder in the death of a St. Cloud woman were back in court Friday morning following several motions filed ahead of the trial.
A motion hearing is scheduled for Christopher Otero-Rivera and his father Angel Rivera, both of whom are facing murder charges in the death of Otero-Rivera’s estranged wife, Nicole Montalvo.
[TRENDING: 3 children, 2 adults killed in ‘horrific’ crash | Motorcyclist killed in crash -- with bear | $1,400 payments by this weekend?]
Montalvo, 33, was reported missing in October 2019 after she failed to pick up her 8-year-old son from school. Her dismembered remains were later found buried on property owned by the Riveras.
Otero-Rivera’s mother, Wanda Rivera, was also arrested on charges of tampering with physical evidence, accessory after the fact to a felony of the first-degree murder and providing false information to law enforcement during an investigation. However, court records show the charges against her have been dropped.
During the hearing Friday, the judge granted the state’s motion to exclude witness opinion’s on guilt made prior to the trial.
The state also filled a motion to exclude evidence of Montalvo’s request to modify a temporary injunction against Otero-Rivera. The judge granted the motion but it may be revisited at a later time.
The judge also heard two motions filed by the defense. The judge denied a motion to exclude evidence that either defendant had a firearm or other weapon, another motion will be revisited.
The father and son are due back in court March 23 for a pre-trial hearing at 9 a.m.